Lui-Ngai-Ni celebrates with traditional fervour
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Gyanand Naorem

Kakching, February 15 2013: The ground of Maha Union Higher Secondary School at Chandel district headquarters came alive to the celebration of Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival of the Nagas, with traditional fervor and gaiety today.

Hosted by Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO), a large number of cultural troupes participated in the celebration which was held under the theme of "Weaving Peace Through Culture" .

Inaugurating the festival as Chief Guest, MLA of Mao A/C L Dikho appealed to all the leaders of Naga CSOs to reach out to the neighbouring communities and bring mutual understanding on all contentious issues confronting them.

The MLA observed that the Nagas are peace loving and hospitable people.

But today, Nagas are at a crossroad and passing through a most crucial phase.

This is the time for retrospection and not the time to confront anybody.

This is the time to make friends and find ways to evolve consensus and mutual understanding with other communities.

He also appealed to leaders of other communities to come forward and sort out differences in a civilised manner to usher in lasting peace in the region.

Lui-Ngai-Ni celebrated at Chandel

"Leaders of all ethnic communities must come forward to work out an understanding among themselves for a permanent peaceful solution", he exhorted.

Talking about the festival, Dikho said that seed sowing season is the most important time for mankind.

So, people should be practical and innovative in their approach and sow seeds not only for a good harvest in agriculture but also for trust for peaceful coexistence amongst the different communities.

Stating that horticulture products are in immense demand all over the world today and it has huge market and potential to bring economic growth, the MLA urged the people to take advantage of the land, resources and other suitable requisite conditions that God has bestowed upon them and take up horticulture intensively thereby bringing economic development and healthy environment in the region.

UNC, President, L Adani, who also spoke on the occasion, observed that it is a special day for the Nagas on which they celebrate their identity and Oneness through the uniqueness of their culture.

The act of sowing seed is central to the culture of the Naga People.

Even in the 21st Century, sowing of seeds and what it symbolises still continue to be fundamental element in their view and also in their intra-community relationship.

"Today we renew the sowing of seeds of fraternity and love among ourselves and of mutual respect with our neighbours", he said.

"Today, as we celebrate Lui-Ngai-Ni under the theme 'Weaving Peace Through Culture', let us reaffirm the wisdom filled values of our forefathers and commit ourselves to wage peace amongst ourselves and with our neighbours and usher in an era of harmony, prosperity and goodwill in our collective lives", Adani exhorted the gathering.

MLA of Chandel A/C Nunghlung Victor presided over the celebration, which was also attended by Ex-MP BD Behring, President of Meetei National Front Chingsubam Wangambi and leaders of 14 different tribes as Special Guests.

The celebration kicked started with lighting up the flame from the sacred fire made through the traditional Meiba Chingba by MLA Nunghlung Victor.

Religious ceremonies and folk dances and songs of different tribes were showcased during the celebration which went on till late evening.

The evening session of the celebration witnessed fashion parade participated by a bevy of beauties belonging to different tribes.